HIGHROAD & BY-ROAD.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17840, 12 October 1929, Page 24 (Supplement)

HIGHROAD & BY-ROAD.

CARE OF THE CAR. i SOME USEFUL TIPS. If any proof be required of the necessity of keeping spring clips tight it may be found in the fact that neither dealers nor manufacturers will replace a spring that is broken through the centre bolt hole—the place at which most springs give way. Breakage of this nature is taken as evidence that the spring clips were not kept tight. The spring clips are subjected to bending in two directions, with the result that excessive strains are imposed at the weakest point, which in this case is at the bolt hole. The spring clips should be seated perfectly tight by drawing the nuts up as close as possible with a wrench of such size that there is no question of their being tight. It is well also to bear in mind that even a nut secured by a lock washer will ultimately work loose; hence the necessity for looking over your spring clips now and then. Carbon deposits should be removed from the cylinder head, valves and pistons of every automobile at regular mileage intervals. Carbon knocks arc a common cause of unpleasant and damaging engine noises; furthermore, excessive carbon causes a loss of power and pick-up. A tune-up job of the motor should include the following:—Cleaning the engine, vacuum tank, carburettor and spark plugs, and adjusting the gaps of the plugs. Tiie lappets and the valves are adjusted, distributor cleaned, contact points adjusted and cleaned, cam shaft and timing checked. The thoughtful motorist will try the compression of his engine occasionally by using the crank. Poor compression means loss of power. Due to the electrio starter, many motorists never think to try the crank. If the radiator is being repaired, and if the repairer has not already done so, it is a good plan to turn it upside down and run water through it by attaching a hose to the lower outlet. This washes its inside in reverse direction, thus chipping off more of the scale and resulting in a better cleaning job. Just a little oil spilled over the outside of the filler pipe will spatter around the engine and give the appearance of trouble. Since most filler pipes are located towards the front end of the engine the oil that is spilled is nearer the fan and is more easily picked up and scattered. In some arrangements any oil that is spilled will run down over the front of the timing gear case and drip on the lower fan pulley. This may cause slippage of the belt and over-heating of the engine. At the high speeds cars now travel oil is apt to be blown back to the rear of the engine, where it may be mistaken for leakage from the oil to the pressure gauge on the instrument board.

The police in Edinburgh, Scotland, have been adopting fairly reasonable methods in dealing with motor traffic. During the first five months of this year approximately 1200 motorists were cautioned, while proceedings were taken in 400 cases for speeding, 'the speeds ranged from 27 m.p.h. to 70 m.p.h., but it is stated only nine of the prosecutions related to speeds under 30 m.p.h., these being offences

in particularly busy streets. 'l’hc Traffic Committee of the League of Nations lias dealt with many road problems which might be commended to local authorities throughout the world. The necessity for co-operation among the various countries of Europe

is particularly obvious. In parts of London the league's recommendations for .parking signs arc receiving trial. The sign is a large blue disc with white lettering. It is possible that this sign will be standardised in many countries.